BENGALURU: The Rs 1,800 crore steel flyover project has run into stiff opposition from citizen groups and opposition parties, who are calling it a scam and question the urgency of the state government in going ahead with the project. With the issue snowballing into a political slugfest, the government and its agencies have been quick to defend the project that proposes to connect Basaveshwara Circle and Mekhri Circle and aims to decongest the stretch up to the airport.
BDA has released a document justifying the project. Claiming that traffic to Kempegowda International Airport has increased manifold, it says the project will reduce air and noise pollution. It adds that the stretch is already congested and an elevated road to make the project corridor signal free is essential. This will reduce travel time, increase speed, help unhindered traffic to airport and cater to future traffic, it says.
However, experts and activists debunk the claim. Urban expert Ashwin Mahesh says, “BDA is answering only those questions it wants to. My first question is who is the mobility expert in BDA? Who suggested the flyover? What was the mandate given to the consultancy that carried out the DPR?” V Ravi Chandar from Vision Group says the city needs a mobility plan as it faces a mobility problem. “BDA gave us an engineering solution.
The problem is about traffic flow, multi-model transport. We need solutions for mobility. And a project like this should be suggested by a DULT. BDA can handle the execution part, the engineering issues. So, the FAQ does not help much. If you make War Memorial Planetarium Road two-way with proper signalling, half of the traffic problem will be solved. Also, nowhere in the world is there a city with so many down and up ramps near governor’s residence and legislature house.”
While BDA says the steel bridge will integrate at Hebbal flyover, there is lack of clarity on how it will be done as there is a criss-cross of vehicles, he says. On Sunday, resident welfare associations from Fairfield Layout, Kumara Park West, Sadashivnagar and RT Nagar will be seen taking active part in the human chain, besides organisations like Citizens Action Forum, Cubbon Park Walkers Association and Sankey Tank Walkers Association. Srinu Alavilli, who was part of Corruption Saku and is spearheading the campaign ‘Steel Flyover Beda’ says, “They want to bring a steel flyover when people are struggling at KR Puram and Silk Board every day.”
Sanjeev V Dyamannavar, a traffic expert and member of Praja RAAG, an advocacy group says, “What happened to Bangalore suburban rail? The railway track runs next to airport but no one seems to want mass public transport system to Bangalore Airport.”
BDA refutes claims that public was not consulted before the project. It says it issued a press release on June 27, 2016 inviting suggestions from experts and interested persons on the project. It says it received 299 suggestions, of which 73% are in favour of the project. On the claim that the project is very expensive, BDA says the construction will include various underpasses, up and down ramps , surface level road, drainage system, illumination and traffic safety appurtenances beside the flyover itself.